Nectarine tree named ‘Honey Royale’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree ( Prunus persica  var.  nucipersica ), which has the following unique combination of desirable features, that are outstanding in a new variety. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on Nemaguard Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Hanford sandy loam soil, with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., and with standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization: 
     1. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 
     2. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color. 
     3. Fruit with a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor with excellent eating quality. 
     4. Fruit having firm flesh, good handling and shipping quality. 
     5. Produces relatively uniform large, yellow flesh, freestone fruit throughout the tree. 
     6. Fruit holding firm on the tree for 2 weeks after maturity (shipping ripe). 
     7. Vigorous, upright growth.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct and extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against thisbackground of our activities that the present variety of nectarine treewas originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimentalorchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of nectarines and peaches known to us, andmentioned herein; Golden Supreme Peach (non-patented) and Honey KistNectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,333).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of nectarine tree (Prunus persica var.nucipersica) was developed by us in our experimental orchard locatednear Modesto, Calif., as a first generation cross between the selectedseedling with field identification No. 77GF213, and Honey Kist Nectarine(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,333). The nectarine seedling 77GF213(non-patented), which is the maternal parent, was selected for futureuse in our breeding program, and originated from a cross of a nectarineseedling selection of unknown parentage, with Golden Supreme Peach(non-patented). We planted and maintained under close observation, alarge group of these first generation seedlings growing on their ownroot system. One seedling, which is the present variety, exhibited theoutstanding fruit characteristics described within and was selected in1994 for asexual reproduction and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of nectarine treewas by budding to Nemaguard Rootstock (non-patented), the standardrootstock for nectarines in California, as performed by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows thatreproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics ofthe tree and its fruit are established and transmitted throughsucceeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which is of large size,vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of large,freestone, yellow flesh fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality.The fruit is further characterized by having firm flesh with goodhandling and shipping quality, the flesh being moderately juicy with amild, sweet, sub-acid flavor, with the ability to hold firm on the treefor 2 weeks after maturity (shipping ripe), and having a high degree ofattractive red skin color. In comparison to the Honey Kist Nectarine(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,333), which has a similar mild, sweet, sub-acidflavor, the new variety produces fruit that is larger in size and isapproximately 25 days later in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows the upper andlower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a fruitdivided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and thestone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was takenshortly after being picked (shipping ripe) and the colors are as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofnectarine tree, age 6 years, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with colorterminology (except those in common terms) in accordance with ReinholdColor Atlas by A. Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.—Large. Pruned 12 to 14 feet in height and width at maturity foreconomical harvesting of fruit.

Vigor.—Vigorous. Growing 6 to 8 feet in height and 5 to 6 feet in widththe first growing season. Primary scaffolds are selected and pruned to 4to 5 feet in height during the first dormant season.

Growth.—Upright. The center branches are removed forming a vase shape.The weight of the fruit tends to spread the branches as the tree becomesproductive.

Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set in two or more times the fruitdesired for tree crop load. Fruit set is reduced and spaced by thinningto produce desired marketable size. Amount of fruit set varies withclimatic conditions and cultural practices during bloom period.

Bearer.—Regular. Has required thinning of fruit over 5 consecutiveyears. No alternate bearing observed.

Form.—Usually pruned to vase shape.

Density.—Medium dense. By pruning to vase shape the branches and leavesare removed from center of tree to increase air movement and sunlightthroughout the tree, enhancing the uniformity of fruit color and keepingthe fruit wood healthy.

Hardiness.—Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter chillingrequirement is approximately 850 hours below 45° F. Hardy in all stonefruit growing areas of California.

Trunk:

Size.—Large. Circumference 24 inches, measured 12 inches above ground,on a 6 year old tree.

Texture.—Medium shaggy. Becomes rougher with age of tree.

Color.—Mouse gray to beaver brown (5-E-3) to (5-F-3), varies with age oftree.

Branches:

Size.—Medium. Average circumference 9 inches measured 52 inches aboveground.

Surface.—Smooth to medium rough, varies with age of growth.

Lenticels.—Medium in number. Average number of 18 within a 4 square inchsurface. Large size. Average length {fraction (5/32)} inch. Averagewidth {fraction (1/16)} inch. Size increases as branches grow larger.Color — apricot yellow to golden yellow (5-B-6) to (5-B-8).

Color.—First years new growth, bile yellow to spring green (30-C-5) to(30-C-8). Older mature growth light brown to brown (6-D-4) to (6-E-6),varies with age of growth.

Leaves:

Size.—Large. Average length 5½ inches. Average width 1⅝ inches.

Form.—Lanceolate.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Margin.—Crenate.

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface.—Upper surface — smooth. Lower surface — relatively smoothexcept for small ridges created by midvein with spinnate veination.Veining color — pale yellowish green to greenish yellow (30-B-5) to(30-B-6).

Petiole.—Medium. Average length {fraction (7/16)} inch. Average width{fraction (5/64)} inch, grooved longitudinally. Color — pale green toyellowish green (30-B-4) to (30-B-6).

Glands.—Reniform. Number varies from 1 to 4. Average number 2. Mediumsize. Average length {fraction (3/64)} inch. Average width {fraction(1/32)} inch. Grayish yellow to amber yellow (4-B-4) to (4-B-6). Someglands have a reddish color (8-D-6) around the top outer edges. Colorvaries with age of leaf.

Color.—Upper surface — green to dark green (29-F-5) to (29-F-8). Lowersurface — dull green to light green (29-E-5) to (29-E-6).

Flower buds:

Size.—Medium to large. Average length {fraction (11/16)} inch, averagewidth ½ inch four days before bloom.

Surface texture.—Smooth.

Form.—Plump, free. Varies from conic to elongate as bud developmentprogresses. Usually one bud forms on each side of a leaf bud on previousyears new growth.

Color.—Pink to rose pink (11-A-4) to (12-A-4).

Flowers:

Size.—Large, showy. Average height {fraction (45/64)} inch. Averagediameter 1{fraction (51/64)} inch.

Petals.—Number — 5. Average length {fraction (31/32)} inch. Averagewidth {fraction (31/32)} inch. Alternately arranged with sepals. Nearlyorbicular, narrower at point of attachment, edges vary from smooth toslightly scalloped.

Sepals.—Number — 5. Average length {fraction (23/64)} inch. Averagewidth {fraction (15/64)} inch. Alternately arranged with petals. Uppercolor — red to madder red (9-A-7) to (10-A-7). Lower color — brownishred to fox red (8-C-6) to (8-D-7). Color fades with age of flower.

Aroma.—Very slight.

Pollen.—Present, self-fertile.

Color.—Pale yellow to light yellow (3-A-3) to (3-A-5).

Stamens.—Average number per flower — 23. Average length — {fraction(21/64)} inch. Filament color varies from white (11-A-1) to pale pink(11-A-3). Lighter color near anthers. Anther color — red to ruby red(12-C-7) to (12-C-8).

Pistil.—Number — one. Average length ½ inch, stigma approximately sameheight as anthers. Color varies from white to pale yellowing (4-A-1) to(4-A-3).

Blooming period.—Date of first bloom — Mar. 5, 1999. Date of last bloom— Mar. 13, 1999. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.—Pink to light pink (11-A-4) to (11-A-3). Color fades with age offlower.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe (shipping ripe).

Date of first picking.—Jul. 10, 1999.

Date of last picking.—Jul. 19, 1999. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.—Average diameter axially 3 inches. Average transversely in sutureplane 2⅞ inches. Average weight 235 grams. Average weight varies withfertility of the soil, amount of thinning and climatic conditions.

Form.—Nearly globose, slightly elongated.

Suture.—Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.—Nearly rounded.

Apex.—Very slight apical point on most fruit, varies from very slightpoint to slightly retuse.

Base.—Retuse.

Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth{fraction (7/16)} inch. Average breadth 1 inch.

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium.

Texture.—Medium, tenacious to the flesh.

Tendency to crack.—None.

Color.—Yellow to golden yellow ground color (5-A-6) to (5-A-7).Overspread with currant red to Turkish red (10-B-8) to (10-C-8).

Stem:

Size.—Average length {fraction (15/32)} inch. Average diameter {fraction(5/64)} inch.

Color.—Spring green to yellowish green (30-C-7) to (30-C-8).

Flesh:

Ripens.—Evenly.

Texture.—Firm, meaty.

Fibers.—Few, small, tender.

Aroma.—Moderate.

Amygdalin.—Undetected.

Eating quality.—Excellent.

Flavor.—Excellent, mild, sweet, sub-acid.

Juice.—Moderate, sweet, sub-acid, enhances flavor.

Brix.—13.1°, varies slightly with number of fruit per tree, culturalpractices and climatic conditions.

Color.—Yellow to dark yellow (4-A-7) to (4-A-8). Pit cavity varies fromred to cardinal red (10-A-8) to (10-D-8).

Stone:

Type.—Freestone.

Size.—Large. Average length 1⅝ inches. Average width 1 inch. Averagethickness ¾ inch.

Form.—Obovoid.

Base.—Usually rounded, varies from rounded to straight.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Surface.—Irregularly furrowed toward apex, pitted toward base. Pits varyfrom round to elongate. Surface of ridges vary from narrow to wide. Onelong furrow on each side of suture.

Sides.—Equal to unequal, some stones are slightly larger on one side.

Tendency to split.—None.

Color.—Brown to reddish brown (8-C-7) to (8-D-7) when dry.

Use: Market. Local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good. Held firm for 3 weeks in cold storage (38° to 42°F.) without internal breakdown or wooliness of flesh.

Shipping quality: Good. Fruit showed minimal scarring or bruising ofskin or flesh during packing and shipping trials.

Plant disease: No specific testing for relative plant/fruit diseaseresistance/susceptibility has been designed. Under close observationduring planting, growing, and harvesting of fruit, under normal culturaland growing conditions near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruitdisease resistance or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety orselection observed, during indexing of plant characteristics, withabnormal fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyedand eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety might begrown. The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, which is of large size, vigorous uprightgrowth and a regular bearer of large, yellow flesh fruit with a mild,sweet, sub-acid flavor with excellent eating quality; the fruit isfurther characterized by having firm flesh with good storage andshipping quality, holding firm on the tree for two weeks after maturity(shipping ripe) and, in comparison to Honey Kist Nectarine (U.S. PlantPat. No. 9,333), which has a similar mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor, thefruit of the new variety is larger in size and is approximately 25 dayslater in maturity.